Well, you have to admit it, eating green is not just a fad like so many other crazes that come and go.  Green food is here to stay. Maybe you have already committed to eating healthy greens on a daily basis, or possibly you are like some of the rest of us who have the “green equals gross” mindset.  This is not a post to convince you to only eat green. After all, the best things in life, like coffee and chocolate, aren’t green. This post is not to motivate you to become a vegetarian or vegan.  The purpose is to show you that green foods don’t have to be gross.

There are always going to be foods you (or your kids) like more than others, whether the foods are green or not.  You have a favorite fruit and you have a least favorite fruit. You have a favorite vegetable and a least favorite vegetable.  The same will be true of green foods. You will like some more than others. Below is a list of some green foods (by no means an exhaustive list).  Each one of them has major health benefits.

The Green List

• Asparagus  (Vitamins A, C, and K, lowers blood pressure, improves digestion)
• Avocado  (Improves heart health, improves vision, lowers blood pressure, high in fiber)
• Broccoli  (Vitamins C and K, develops healthy bones, may protect against certain cancers, improves heart health)       
• Brussel Sprouts  (Vitamin K, may protect against certain cancers, may help maintain blood sugar, high in fiber)
• Celery  (Vitamins A, C, and K,  helps with digestion)
• Collards  (Vitamins A, C, E, and K, may protect against certain cancers, helps with digestion, improves heart health)
• Cucumber  (Vitamins C and K, antioxidants, may help maintain blood sugar, boost hydration)
• Green Apples  (Vitamins A, C, and K, high in fiber, develops healthy bones)
• Green Beans  (Vitamin K, improves heart health, may protect against colon cancer, may help maintain blood sugar)
• Green Peppers  (Vitamins C and E, improves vision, may protect against certain cancers, improves heart health)
• Kale  (Vitamins A, B6, C, and  K, antioxidants, improves heart health, develops healthy bones, may protect against certain cancers, improves vision)
• Peas  (Vitamins C and K, antioxidants, may help maintain blood sugar, helps with digestion, may protect against certain cancers, improves heart health)
• Pickles  (Vitamin K, probiotics, may help maintain blood sugar, boost hydration)
• Pistachios  (Vitamins B6 and K, antioxidants, may help maintain blood sugar, may protect against certain cancers, high in fiber)
• Spinach  (Vitamins B6, B9, C, E, and K, antioxidants, improves vision, may protect against certain cancers, improves heart health, high in fiber)
• Zucchini  (Vitamins B6, C, and K, helps with digestion, may help maintain blood sugar, improves heart health, improves vision)

Give Up Gross

Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of green foods and fight against the opinion that “green equals gross.”

• Make a Smoothie with Greens- Spinach and Kale work well in smoothies, especially when you combine them with peanut or almond butter for protein.  This is also a great way for kids to enjoy green foods.
• Combine Your Greens- Put some lime and cucumber in water to infuse it with flavor or add some green pepper or green apple to that salad.
• Prepare Greens in a Variety of Ways- If you don’t like steamed broccoli, try roasting your broccoli in the oven with some crushed red pepper and garlic.  If you don’t like raw avocado, make an avocado soup or cook avocado into your scrambled eggs.